Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

A series of itmes from the Robert Wood Collection showing efforts to revivie  the District Schools Union following the decline in popularity of the Game in the first decade of the 20th Century/

Images from some of the Schools XV fielded over the years, the Old Boys Rugby Club was particularly prominent during the 1930s in Junior Rugby, so any pictures of either the School or Old Boys XVs would be welcomed.

Over the years the towns have produced many players who went on to play at the highest levels, some nine  players had the distinction of playing for their country whilst still at School

1908 - Fred.  Vasey – Galleys Field –played v Wales in Cardiff on 14^th March 1908, 6000 spectators and gate money of 203.13s-7d (admission was 1/6d a head). This was the 5^th meeting of the teams; Wales had won the previous 4 matches Fred went on to play for GFOB & Red Rose in the Pyman League pre the Great War.

Along with Edward (Ted) H Riding also GFS, he played in a trial at Bath before being selected to the National XV in  the forwards.  The image shown below is of a F. Vasey on a photo of the successful 1910 Galleys Field Old Boys team that carried off the Durham County Third Teams Cup that season.

Ted Riding later played for West Hartlepool in the centre in the 1920s. There was a 3rd Hartlepool player at the trial held in Bath from which the two lads gained their cap, a Hill of Henry Smiths did not get into the England XV.

1937 - John Bantoft - Galleys Field England v Wales u14.

1938 – Tom H Parker (1924-1996) – West Hartlepool Secondary School –played v Wales. 

On 26^th March, 1938 Tom Parker,  played for England against Wales at scrumhalf. After war service in the Royal Navy he signed for Ipswich Town F.C. playing 475 games and also Captaining the side. His goal tally totalled 92, playing for the East Anglia club between 1946 and 1957 his only club.

1949 – Brian Colley – Galley’s Field – England v Wales

1952 - Dennis Jesson West Hpool Grammar School - 4 seasons running. 

1955 – John M. Dee – Henry Smith.- played 15 and 19 Group matches.

1964 – D. Stuart Caswell West Hartlepool Grammar - England in both Internationals

1964 – W. J. (Bill) Dale – West Hartlepool Grammar – England in both Innternationals

1966/7 - Geoff Buttle Henry Smith England 19 Group v Wales, France & Scotland. 

1976  - Paul Burgon - Manor School 16 Group

1979  - S. Gordon C. Orritt - High Tunstall School also 19 Group matches.

 George Edmonndson was also a Galley's player who made it to the Engand XV, dates etc are currently being researched.

Since Victorian times, the towns had an independent educational strand to teaching, the last major School being “Rosebank” in Elwick Road.  Several pictures of the various Rugby XVs are on this site, assistance with naming the players would be appreciated.

Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

Images from Dyke House School that produced a lot of players over the years and at one time had a successful Dyke House Od Boys club side.

An image of the King Oswy side from 1965/1966, under the Captaincy of John Cooling, only a few names known so far in Alan Mitchell, Phil Hildreth, Alf Jobling, and Bryn Clode so any more information would be welcomed.

Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

Images from the many Rugby XVs turned out by the School over the seasons; we would welcome names of players shown to add to the site, or where applicable dates of the image or trophy on display.

On 22^nd March, 1995, Sun Alliance sponsored a Schools round robin event at Mayfield Park, involving Brierton, High Tunstall, Manor and Henry Smith Schools.

The Final was played between Manor and Henry Smith and resulted in a draw at 7 – pts each, so the Trophy was shared.

The Durham 19 Group side that took on Cheshire at Westoe, the side contained a lot of town players who went on to Senior Rugby in Graeme Allen, Dave Smithson and Russell Bell from  Henry Smith's School & Rovers, Graham Wilson, Mark Winlow and Les Peacock from Brierton and Mark Siddle from High Tunstall and West.

The remainder of the players were drawn from Durham School, Barnard Castle and Grangefield School lads.

The Durham Schools Union in that era was excellently led by Lyne Mock from Gateshead with Brian Watt being Team Secretary (who was also Peterlee Schools District Sec) and the Hartlepool District Schools Chairman Bill Archbold followed Ian Hunter.

The Hartlepool Schools Under 15 side that enjoyed a successful 80/81 season, defeating their counterparts from Darlington, Peterlee, Sunderland and Stockton Districts. Their only defeats were against touring sides Coventry and Merseyside. This picture was taken on Brierton Lane before their game with Merseyside.

Any game between England and the Welsh is always an attraction and Hartlepool rugby fans had the rare chance to see two such games a little over 72 hours apart when England Schools 18 Group played on the New Friarage on 31^st March, followed on the following Tuesday with a game between the Student XVs of both nations on Brierton Lane..

The squad that carried off the Town Cup includes Paul Hornsey, Timothy Carter, Peter Storey Paul Bell, Paul Dougherty, David Dagg, Christopher Mounter, Graham Arnell, Jeffrey Storey, Paul Ackroyd, John Burns, Jonathan Bratt, David Cheshire Jamie Lynch, Graeme Martin, Ben Pearce, Mark Ryan, and Leroy Rosario.

A picture of players from St Helens School, believed to be taking part in a Tournament on the “Old” Friarage that year.

Images from High Tunstall, any one else got an images to offer!

The County Schools Union marked their Centenary during season 1995/1996, and marked it with a special match at the New Friarage pitting England against the Scottish Schools Presidents XV.

Marking their long service to the Game of Rugby in both Hartlepool and the wider area, Hartlepool Council Chairman, Coun. Carl Richardson presented certificates in 2002 from the Hartlepool Community Awards Scheme marking their contribution to the town and community to Steve Evans (Refereeing), Brian Watt (Schools and Refereeing) and Keith Faint (Hpool BBOB RFC) at a ceremony held in the Civic Centre that year.